Royal Adelaide Show - lost children wristbandsPOLICE say they will continue to target unsafe bicycle behaviour following a successful police operation held last month.

Box Hill Acting Sergeant Damien Collins said Operation Giant's aim was to reduce bicycle collisions and injuries by rewarding good behaviour with wristbands.

"Uniformed police on bicycles targeted this by patrolling the Whitehorse area and raising awareness of bicycle safety," he said.

Sgt Collins said research had shown about half of children aged up to 12 weren't wearing helmets when involved in collisions.

Wristbands for Safe Riding

"Police rewarded correct behaviour by handing out promotional wristbands to children doing the right thing," he said.

"It was pleasing to hand out more than 70 wristbands over the campaign."

Sgt Collins said the response to the police during the operation had been positive, and helped spread the Safe Cycle message.

"During the course of the operation, police clocked up 54 hours patrolling on bikes."

He said 23 penalty notices were also issued to drivers for distraction offences during the campaign, while one arrest was made for drug offences.

"Overall, the response to bicycle safety and pedestrian safety was excellent, with very few people issued with infringement notices," he said.

Sgt Collins said police would continue to target pedestrian safety and drivers using mobile phones over the coming months.

KNOW THE RULES

BICYCLE riders and passengers must wear approved helmets

CHILDREN under 12 and adults supervising them can legally ride on the footpath, but must give way to pedestrians

CYCLING at night is illegal unless the bicycle or the rider has a white light on the front, a red light at the back and a red reflector at the back

RIDERS must not ride more than two abreast, and must obey traffic signals, stop signs and give way signs

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